ATL Free WiFi: Building Digital Equity Along the Atlanta BeltLine

In cities across America, internet access is becoming a new dividing line between who gets ahead and who gets left behind. In Atlanta, a city growing in culture, density, and ambition, one local community builder is stepping up to close that gap with a bold, grassroots initiative called ATL Free WiFi. The goal is simple: provide free, reliable public WiFi across Atlanta, starting with the Eastside Trail of the BeltLine.
Born from inspiration taken from NYC Mesh, ATL Free WiFi takes the idea of a community powered network and adapts it to Atlanta's scale and character. "New York has millions of residents and hundreds of rooftops to work with," says Dylan, founder of the project. "Here in Atlanta, I knew we needed something built on local businesses, local community, and local pride."
Instead of charging users, ATL Free WiFi operates through tasteful, hyper local advertising shown briefly when a user joins the network. This model keeps internet access free for residents and visitors. "People should not have to pay for basic connectivity," Dylan says. "Internet is becoming a utility and access should not be determined by income or zip code."

A Pilot Already Bringing Change to the BeltLine
The first stage of ATL Free WiFi covers a 2.1 mile stretch on the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail. It connects Piedmont Park to Krog Street Market and includes a growing network of participating businesses.
Progress so far includes:
Twelve local businesses signed on to host supernodes and extend the mesh network

More than one hundred and fifty residents signed a community petition in the first twenty four hours

Ongoing conversations with NPU districts and community organizations

Strong support from Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts, who called the project timely and important

A fully mapped route with equipment already being ordered for installation

A target go live date of mid 2026

"We are building something that feels like a public utility created by the people who live here," Dylan explains. "We are not waiting for a large telecom to fix it. We are doing it ourselves and doing it with our community."

Why Digital Equity Matters in Atlanta
As jobs, schools, telehealth services, and public resources move online, free access in public space is becoming essential. ATL Free WiFi helps:
Serve neighborhoods that border the BeltLine and have limited digital access

Support small businesses by keeping customers connected

Improve the visitor experience with navigation, communication, and online engagement

Strengthen community ties by ensuring equal access to digital resources

Expand digital inclusion through partnerships with NPUs and nonprofits such as Project Access

This model mirrors a national shift toward treating internet access as public infrastructure similar to parks, lighting, and sidewalks.

A Local Builder With Serious Technical Knowledge
ATL Free WiFi is powered by Dylan, a local resident who works in the tech sector and currently at a large internet service provider. With a background in networking and hardware, he brings both technical skill and community commitment to the project.
"This is not theory," Dylan says. "We are mapping the corridor, ordering hardware, preparing nodes, and building it with our own hands. Every piece of this project is grounded in real engineering."

Free for the Community with a Sustainable Model
ATL Free WiFi is fully bootstrapped at this stage. No grants. No large corporate sponsors. The network is funded by tasteful, local advertising on the WiFi splash screen. This creates a stable future model where:
Businesses reach real BeltLine users

The network remains free for everyone

Local dollars stay in the community

Businesses interested in advertising on the network can learn more at ATLFreeWiFi.com.

The Future: Expansion Through Partnership
Beyond the BeltLine, ATL Free WiFi is in discussions with nonprofits, NPUs, and organizations like Project Access to bring free WiFi into more communities throughout Fulton County. The project can expand into:
Neighborhoods with limited digital access

Parks and public gathering areas

Community centers and affordable housing

Small business corridors

Future trail sections across the entire BeltLine loop

The goal is simple. Build the digital infrastructure Atlanta deserves and build it from the ground up.

A Connected Atlanta Starts With Community
ATL Free WiFi is not a corporate startup and not a telecom company. It is a local initiative created by people who want Atlanta to be more equitable, more connected, and more future ready.
"We want every person walking the BeltLine, whether they are a student, a worker, a parent, or unhoused, to have access to something created for them," Dylan says. "That is what real community infrastructure looks like."
To learn more or get involved, visit https://ATLFreeWiFi.com.

1137 Booker ave sw atlanta ga 30310
Dylan Jain
dylan@atlfreewifi.com
404-395-1138
atlfreewifi.com

ABOUT / Portrait of the Company

ATL Free WiFi is a community focused technology initiative based in Atlanta, Georgia. The company provides free public WiFi in high traffic outdoor areas and underserved neighborhoods by deploying commercial grade mesh network equipment. The service is funded through non intrusive local advertising, which keeps access free for all users. The first pilot covers 2.1 miles of the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and is supported by twelve local businesses. The mission of ATL Free WiFi is to expand digital equity and create open internet access throughout the city.

Detailed Conception of the Enterprise

ATL Free WiFi designs, installs, and maintains outdoor wireless networks using supernodes hosted by local businesses. Each supernode extends coverage along pedestrian corridors and public spaces through a mesh architecture that increases redundancy and stability. The WiFi is provided at no cost to the public. Funding comes from local sponsors and advertisers displayed on a captive portal when users join. The enterprise is structured for scalable deployment in additional neighborhoods, NPUs, parks, and business districts. Technical work, equipment selection, installation, and monitoring are handled internally to ensure reliability and consistent service quality.

Description of the Enterprises Involved

The ATL Free WiFi pilot involves collaborations with:

• Local business hosts along the BeltLine that provide rooftop or exterior mounting locations for supernodes.
• Community organizations and NPU leaders who advise on digital equity priorities and help identify expansion zones.
• Civic stakeholders including Fulton County Commissioner Robb Pitts
• Equipment and infrastructure partners who supply networking hardware and installation materials.
• Local advertisers and sponsors who support the free access model.

This release was published on openPR.